Fuming over the
Brookvale Road
Bypass?
Us too. Find out how you can take action
to make all of our streets safer.
Traffic on
Brookvale
Road has
doubled.*
Since the beginning of the Portswood bus
gate scheme, the number of cars on
Brookvale Road has jumped to nearly
6,000 cars a day. At peak times, we’re
enduring 1 car every 4 seconds.
And it’s
getting a
whole lot
worse.
When bus gate enforcement began, we
experienced our worst ever morning
traffic, with 1,337 cars between 7 and 10
AM. With regulations tightening and
penalty fines in effect, we anticipate even
more cars diverting onto Brookvale Road.
Multiple local
roads are
being
affected.
Of course, this isn’t just a problem for
Brookvale Road. Highfield Lane is
experiencing heavy congestion, and
drivers are cutting through Abbotts Way,
Orchards Way, and Uplands Way to
escape traffic jams, causing chaos
throughout the neighbourhood.
But the
Council thinks
it’s all fine.
“My observation is
that...while there are
higher levels of traffic,
Brookvale Road is coping.”
Councillor Keogh, February 6th 2025
They also
think the bus
gate scheme
is going well
so far...
“I would dispute your
assertion that there is
overwhelming opposition
to the Bus Gate.”
Councillor Keogh, February 6th 2025
This troubles us for
lots of reasons
Pedestrians’
and cyclists’
safety
Severe congestion on Brookvale
Road makes cycling dangerous,
while scooter users dodge traffic
by riding on pavements,
endangering pedestrians.
Air quality and
emissions
pollution
Twice the traffic means twice the
car exhaust pollution—right along
children's school walking and
cycling routes.
Each morning, an average of 1,200 cars clog key school crossings, putting school children at enormous risk.
School
children’s
safety
In the morning, traffic on Brookvale
Road has surged from 660 to a peak of
1,337 vehicles—just as children are being
dropped off at Highfield Infant School.
This has caused major congestion on
Highfield Lane and its junction with
Brookvale Road, making it dangerously
unsafe for children, cyclists, and
pedestrians. There have already been
alarming accidents, and we can't wait
for another before action is taken.
We are really
concerned about
the impact on
children’s safety.
Want to learn more?
Check out our resources.
The Council's recommended actions so far
include removing Brookvale Road residents'
parking access, conducting a safety audit,
reviewing signage, and tweaking traffic
lights.
The Council
is avoiding
bold action.
And we
believe that
stronger
steps are
needed.
In our view, bold moves, such as
cancelling the bus gate trial or
introducing significant traffic calming
measures must now be on the table.
We can’t
make our
streets safe
without you.
We know it’s a big ask,
but we desperately need
your help.
Here’s how you can get
involved.
Talk to the
Council about
the scheme
Email the Council to tell them that
the current situation on local
streets is unsafe and needs to
change.
Fill in the official traffic regulation
order (TRO) consultation form to
make sure the Council hears the
community concerns.
Take part in the
official TRO
consultation
1
2
3
Be specific in
your Council
comms
For maximum impact, tell the
Council which road you live on -
and exactly what action you
would like to see.
Here are
some direct
actions you
can take.
Copy and paste this email - or write your own - to
key project leads Wade Holmes and Eamonn
Keogh. Click the link for all key email addresses.
Upload your pictures or videos of dangerous
driving conditions on Brookvale Road or the other
surrounding roads.
Fill in the form to the Council project team to let them know how you think the bus gate scheme is performing overall. If you can only take one action, we suggest it’s this one.
If you’re a resident living in Highfield, you can sign
the open letter to Councillor Eamonn Keogh.
If you spot dangerous driving behaviour, report it to the police and to Sam Johnson, who is logging all local bus gate related traffic incidents.
Sign the official petition to stop the bus gate trial.
If you cannot complete the online form, local
stores, including Waitrose, are also collecting
signatures.
Want to learn
more?
For local traffic data and
analysis, explore our
resources.
Residents’ presentation
Check out the slides from an
unofficial meeting with local
residents.
Traffic flow data analysis
See how major traffic calming measures would affect local traffic flows.
View live and historical Brookvale
Road traffic data since the bus
gate launch.
LIDAR traffic data
The safety of
our streets
depends on
you.
Want to talk to the team
behind this site?
Drop us a line at atzbrookvaleroad@gmail.com
and we’ll be in touch.
*Traffic on Brookvale Road has doubled during peak hours - and has nearly doubled overall - compared against the Council-funded WSP baseline report.
For any queries related to our data analysis, please contact atzbrookvaleroad@gmail.com.